Water softening apparatus



F. H. WEBB May 8, 1956 WATER SOF'TENING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l FiledDeC. 30. 1952 INVENTOR. FRANC/5 H. WEBB May s, 195e F' H' WEBB 2,744,867

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 50, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 32 IN VENTOR. FRANC/5 H. WE

BY O.M

TTORNE Y nitecl States Patent WATER SFTENING APPARATUS Francis H. Webb,Pasadena, Calif.` Application December 30, 1952, Serial No. 328,584

6 Claims. (ci. 21o24 My present invention relates to watersoftening'apparatus of the general character embodied in my co-pendingapplication for a water softening apparatus, Patent No. 2,670,328,issued January 15, 1954, and wherein it is the object to provide anapparatus which is fully automatic to regenerate the exchanger bedvatpredetermined time intervals to insure a continuous supply of softwater; which embodies a pressurized and sealed brine tank eliminatingthe danger of overowing and flooding the premises; which eliminates oatsand float valves in the brine tank; which eliminates an injector toraise brine from the brine tank and deliver the brine to the exchangerbed; and which is quickly adjusted to regenerate at any desired timeinterval and has sucient salt storage capacity to care for the needs ofthe average family for an entire year.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a water softeningapparatus having all of the above stated advantages, and in addition, ischaracterized structurally and functionally to completely isolate thebrine tank from the softener tank except during regeneration, so as toobviate the possibility of salt Water ever becoming mixed with the waterin the service line.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a watersoftening apparatus which is structurally characterized by itscompactness and its improved functioning by means of a multi-portsealed. brine valve element which is intimately associatedboth'fstructurally and functionally with the main or master controlvalveV element, and which is operated and controlled by an adjustable,automatic reset interval timer electrically driven to accuratelypredetermine the brinefeeding period of the regenerating cycle, thebrine valve element being free from any and all contamination by saltwaterwhich might adversely aiect its operation. v

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in thecombinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements aslset forth in the following specification and particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with parts in section, of one formof water softening apparatus embodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the master andbrine valve elements of the apparatus in service position;

Figurev 3 is a View similar to Figure Z and showing the master and brinevalve elements in regenerating position;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional viewf'taken on the line 4-4of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits embodied inthe Water softening apparatus.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention in its presentembodiment broadly comprises a softener tank S, a brine tank B, a mastercontrol valvep'element' V, a brine valve element V', and electricalcircuitsconlice trolling the elements V and V and including aconventional program timing clock P and a conventional automatic resetinterval timer T.

The softener tank S which may be of plastic lined sheet metalconstruction, is provided with a bottom layer of gravel 10 on which isplaced a layer of filtering sand 11, above which latter is the exchangerbed 12 preferably of Zeolite. The brine tank B is of similarconstruction and is provided with a top filling opening adapted to beclosed fluid-tight by a removable cap 13. The usual softener salt issupplied to the brine tank for mixing with sufficient water to form-asaturated solution.

The Valve elements V and V' are intimately arranged both structurallyand functionally in a single compact unit comprising a body 20, which isbored to provide hydraulic cylinders 21 and 22 disposed `side by side inparallel relation and receiving reciprocable pistons 23 and 24 of therespective valve elements V and V as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The piston 23 is fixed to one end of a stem 25, the other end of whichlatter has a valve 26, which, in the service position of the elements Vand V shown in Figure 2, has lluid sealing engagement with an annularseat 27 in the body 20 to disconnect a hard water inlet 28 from anoutlet 29 and from a restricted orice 30 in a nipple 31 screw threadedat 32 into the lower end of the body.

f Intermediate the ends of the stem 25 are fixed valves 35 and 36, theformer of which has uid sealing engagement with an annular seat 37 inthe service position of the master valve element V, so as to disconnecta drain port v38'of a drain pipe 39 from a port 40 which is placed incommunication with the softener tank S near the top thereof by aperforate pipe 41 (Figure 1).

In the service position of the valve element V, the valve 36A isdisengaged from an annular seat 43 in the body 20, so'as to place thehard water inlet 28 in communication with the port 40 for the deliveryof hard water to the top of the softener tank S through the pipe 41. Theannular seat 37 is formed in a cylindrical seat member 50, the endportions of which t snugly in cylindrical bores 51 and 52 in the body20, and are provided with sealing rings 53 and 54. The central portionof the seat member 50 is reduced in diameter to provide an annularpassage 55 in the body 20 opening to the drain port 38 and to theannular seat 37 by means of an annular passage `56 in the seat membersurrounding the stem 25, all asy lclearly-shown in Figures 2 and 3.

`A coil spring 62 surrounds the stem 25 between the seat member 50 andthe piston 23 to urge the valve element V to the service position shownin Figure 2. A breather port 63 is provided in the body 20 for thecylinder 21 to relieve same of pressure during movements of the piston23.

Movement of the piston 23 to the regenerating position shown in Figure 3is effected hydraulically under the control of an electrically operatedneedle valve 70 which normally gravitates to seal uid tight, an inletport 71 formed in a head 72 closing the upper ends of the cylinders 2.1and 22 and-removably secured to the body 20. The inlet port 71 is placedin communication with the hard water inlet 28 through ducts 73 and 74 inthe body and a duct 75 in the head 72, so that upon opening of theneedle valve 70, water from the inlet 28 will flow into the cylinder 21so as to act upon-the piston 23.

T he needle valve 70 is mounted in the hollow core 80 of a solenoid 81supported on the head 72 and enclosed in a cover 82 removably secured tothe head. The core '80 is reciprocable freely in a tube 83 in thesolenoid winding 84, and the needle valve 70 is provided with a stopflange l.1o-acting with a plug 86 in the end of the core 80 to provide alost motion connection between the needle valve and core in a directionaxially thereof.

Thus, upon energization of the solenoid $1 the core 80- will first bedrawn into the `tube 83 until the plug 86 engages the ange 85, whereuponthe needle valve `70 will be jerked free of the port 71 to insureopening Iot the port for the flow of water into the lcylinder 21 'toetect movement `of the piston 23 to its regenerating position shown inFigure 3.

A relief duct in the head 72, communicating with a duct 91 in the body20, connects the cylinder 21 with the drain port 3S through. arestricted or bleed port 92 so as to permit water introduced into thecylinder 'to discharge therefrom into the drain pipe v39 when the needlevalve 70 has been restored to its closed position, all so as to enablethe piston 23 to return to its service position shown in Figure 2, underthe action of the spring 62.

Current is supplied to the solenoid 81 to energize same atypredetermined intervals when it is desired that regeneration beeffected, and to maintain the .solenoid energized for a predeterminedtime interval necessary to complete the brining and rinsing portions ofa regenerating cycle, by operation of the program timing clock P whosemicroswitch is placed in circuit with the solenoid through conductors 96and 97 from a suitable source of current supply.

Connected to the nipple 31 is one -end .of a brine pipe 100, the otherend of which is connected by a cleanout fitting 101 to a pipe 102extending into the softener tank T close to the bottom thereof and beingprovided with a large number of ports 103. Intermediate its ends, thepipe is provided with a T fitting v104 the lateral branch of which isconnected through a check valve 105 to an outlet pipe 106 for deliveringsoft water to the service line.

By means of a pipe 10S, the outlet 29 is placed in communication withthe outlet pipe 106 through the body of the check valve 105 so as toprovide a by-pass connection for the delivery of .hard water from thesupply pipe 23 to the service line during regeneration.

The piston 24 of the valve element V is fixed to one end of a stem 110to the other end of which `is -ti-Xed a valve 111, which, in the serviceposition of lthe val-ve elements shown in Figure 2, has fluid-sealingengagement with an annular seat 112 inthe body 20, todisconnectthe hard water inlet 28 trom a pipe 113 leading -to the top ofthe brinetank B (Figure 1).

Intermediate its ends the stem 110 is provided with a valve 115 which in'the service position of the valve elements has liuid sealing engagementwith 'an annular seat 116 in a cylindrical seat member 117 slidablyVreceiving the stem, to disconnect va brine `inlet port '113 from abrine outlet port 119, lthe port 118 being in communication with thebrine tank B at a point near the bottom thereof through a pipe `120, andthe port 119 being in communication with the bottom of the softener tankS through a pipe 121. The pipe 121 leads from the port 119 to an annularchamber 122 surrounding the nipple 31 in the body 20 and incommunication with the interior of the nipple below the restrictedorifice 30 by means of radial ports 123 in the nipple. Between thevalves 11'2 and 115 the stem 110 is provided with a sealing ring 124 tocompletely isolate the brine and water from each other to insure that nobrine can enter the hard water inlet 28.

rl"he seat member 117 is confined in a bore 125 in the body against anannular shoulder 126 therein, by a set screw 127 entering an annulargroove 128 in the member. The seat member 117 is reduced in .diameterbetween its sealed ends to form an 4annular passage 12'9 between theseat member 'and body, with which the port 119 directly communicates.

The end portion of the bore 130 of the seat memberl provide an annularpassage 131 containing the valve seat.

116 and communicating at one end with radial ports 132 in the seatmember opening into the annular passage 129. ln the position of thevalve element V shown in Figures 3 and 4, the annular passage 131 is incommunication with the port 118 so as to permit brine to flow therefromto the pipe 121 as will be clear from Figure 4.

Movement of the piston 24 to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 iseffected hydraulically when the piston 23 is moved to regeneratingposition, under the control of an electrically operated needle valve170. The valve normally gravitates to seal tiuid tight an inlet port 171formed in the head 72 and communicating with the hard water inlet 28through the duct 75 which is common to both ports 71 and 171 as clearlyshown in Figures 2 and 3, all so that upon opening of the needle valve170, water from the inlet 2S will flow into the .cylinder 22 so as toact upon the piston 24.

The needle valve 170 is mounted in the hollow core of a solenoid 181supported on the head 72 and also enclosed in the cover 82. The core 130is reciprocable freely in a tube 183 in the solenoid Winding 184, andthe needle valve 170 is provided with a stop tiange 185 .coacting with aplug 1.86 in an end of the core 180 to provide a -lost motion operativeconnection between the needle valve and core functioning in the samemanner as with the previously described needle valve 70.

The relief duct 90 in the head 72 is extended to communicate with theport 171 through a restricted or bleed orifice 192 so as to permit waterintroduced into the cylinder 22 to discharge therefrom into the drainpipe 39 when the needle valve 170 has been restored to its closedposition, all .so as .to enable the piston 241 to return to its service`position shown in Figure 2, under the action of a coil spring 195surrounding the stem 110 and interposed between the seat member 1117 andthe piston 24.

Current .is `supplied to the solenoid 131 through conductors` 196 and197 to energize the solenoid during a predetermined br-ining portion ofthe regenerating cycle, under .the control of the interval timer Thaving a microswitc-h 200. The solenoid is maintained deenergized duringthe following rinsing por-tion of the regenerating cycle -by the'interval timer T which then completes a circuit through .conductors 201and 2112 to energize a holding coil 203 which maintains the circuit to.the solcnoid 181 broken as will -be more fully described -in theoperation of the l:' nvc-:ntion which is as follows:

With the valve elements V and V in the service yposition shown in Figure2, hard water Afrom the usual domestic source of supply will be -free toflow through the inlet 28 past the open valve 36 and through the outletport 40 .and pipe 41 into the top of the softener tank S, vthendownwardly throughy the exchanger bed 12, sand 11 `and gravel 10, soasto be rendered soft by the chemical action of the bed 12, then throughthe pipes 102, 100, T fitting 104 and check valve 105 to the soft waterservice pipe 106.

As .an example, .let it be assumed that the prog-ram timing clock .P hasbeen set for regeneration of the softener tank S once a week, say at2:00 a. m. yon Sunday, and that the regeneration period is fortyve`minutes which has been based on the hardness of .the water in the areadrawn from, as well as on the amount of water used `on the premises.Furthermore, let it be assumed 'that the automatic reset timer T hasbeen set for a predetermined length of brining period such five minutesat the beginning of regeneration.

When regeneration time arrives, the .clock l closes the current supplycircuit .through the microswitch 95 to energize the .solenoid throughconductors 96 and -97 and .to .energize the solenoid 18.1 through theconductors 196, .197 and the microswitch 200 yof the timer T, as well`as to start the clock of the timer T through conductors 4'204 and 205(Figure 5).

enligne?v Upon energization of the solenoids and 181, their respectiveneedle valves 70 and 170 will be jerked open to enable water from theinl et 28 to flow through ducts 73, 74 and 75 and ports 71 and 171 intothe respective cylinders 21 and 22 so as to act upon the pistons 23 and24 and move same against theirsprings 62 and 195, thus moving the valveelements V and V to the regenerating position, all as shown in Figure 3.

The valve 36 is now closed, thus discontinuing the supply of hard waterto the top of the softener tank S, whereas the valve 111 is now open sothat water from the inlet 28 is free to ow through the duct 73, pipe 113into the top of the brine tank B. Hard water for use on the premises isnow available from the inlet 28, pipe 108 and pipe 106 (Figures 1 and3).

The brine tank B is thus placed under pressure 'so as to force brineupwardly through the pipe 120 past the open valve 115, through pipe 121,nipple 31, pipes 100 and 102 into the bottom of the softener tank S soas to be forced successively through the gravel 10, sand 11 and theexchanger bed 12. The tiow of brine is accelerated by the high velocityjet of water discharging from the restricted orifice 30 of the nipple31. Water in the softener tank in advance of the incoming brine isforced thereby through the pipe 41, port 40,' annular passage 56, radialports 57, annular passage 55, drain port 38 into the drain pipe 39.

When the interval for which the timer T has been set has elapsed, thetrip arm 210 of the timer actuates the spring armature blade 211 of themicroswitch 200 to open the circuit to the brine solenoid 181 throughthe conductors 196 and 197, and to stop driving the clock mechanism ofthe timer. The microswitch 200 now functions to complete a circuit tothe holding coil 203 through the conductors 201 and 202 so that the coilwill co-act with the armature blade 211 in maintaining the solenoid 181deenergized during the remainder of the regenerating cycle, while thetimer T will be free to automatically reset.

The needle valve 170 gravitates to its closed position with respect tothe port 171, thus rendering the spring 195 free to restore the piston24 to its position shown in Figure 2, as water in the cylinder 24 isforced therefrom by the piston past the restricted port 192, ducts 90,91, annular passage 55, and port 38 to the drain pipe 39.

The flow of water to the brine tank and the flow of brine to thesoftener tank S are now discontinued, and the rinsing yof brine from thesoftener tank is started so as to remove calcium chloride which has beendisplaced by the sodium chloride solution. This rinsing is accomplishedby the continued flow of water through the restricted orifice 30 of thenipple 31, and is calculated to tiow through the softener tank at therate of approximately one and three-quarter gallons per minute until theregenerating period has elapsed.

The program clock P now breaks the circuit to the solenoid 81 and to theholding coil 203, thus permitting the armature blade 211 of the timer Tto return to its normal position, and permitting theneedle valve 70 togravitate to its closed position with respect to the port 71.

The spring 62 is now free to act in restoring the piston 23 to itsservice position as water in the cylinder 21 is forced 'therefromthrough the restricted orifice 92, ducts 90 and 91, passage 55, port 38and drain pipe 39. The closing of the valve 35 discontinuos the flow ofWater from the softener tank S through the pipe 41 into the drain pipe39, whereas the opening of the valve 36 will again deliver hard waterfrom the inlet 28 to the softener tank through the pipe 41. As the valve26 is now closed, the ow of rinsing water to the bottom of the softenertank through the oritice 30 is also discontinued.

The apparatus is now ready to deliver soft Water to the service lineuntil the next regenerating period ar rives. The brine tank B is alsorelieved of pressure so that salt may be added at any time duringservice of the apparatus. l

By the provision of the brine valve element V' and its structural andfunctional relationship to the master valve element V in a singlecompact unit, positive and synchronized operation of the valve elementsas well as the complete isolation of the brine from the service line isassured. Furthermore, the construction of the brine valve element V andthe manner in which the brine is conducted therethrough eliminates thecorrosive and contaminating effect of brine upon delicate working partsdispensed with, and insures highly efcient, service free operation ofthe apparatus indefinitely.

I claim:

l. Automatic water softening apparatus comprising:

a softener tank having a hard water inlet and a soft water outlet; abrine tank; a master valve element movably mounted to occupy a serviceposition and a regenerating position and having valved means; meansconnecting the hard water inlet to a supply of water under pressurethrough the medium of said valved means, for the flow of water throughthe softener tank to a service line when water outlet of the softenertank to the source of watery supply through the medium of one of saidtwo other said element occupies its service position; said elementhaving two other valved means; means connecting said soft water outletof the softener tank to the source of water supply through the medium ofone of said two other valved means when said master valve element is inregenerating position, to admit a restricted flow of rinsing water tothe softener tank; means connecting said hard water inlet of thesoftener tank to a drain line through the medium of the other of saidtwo other valved means when the master valve element occupiesregenerating position, to drain rinsing Water from the softener tank; abrine valve element movably mounted to occupy a service position and aregenerating position and having two valved means; means connecting thehard water inlet to the brine tank through the medium of one of said twovalved means of the brine valve element to pressurize the brine tankwhen the brine element occupies regenerating position; means connectingthe brine tank to the softener tank through the medium of the other ofsaid two valved means of the brine valve element when the master valveelement occupies service position, to admit brine from the brine tank tothe softener tank; means including time mechanism controlling the mastervalve element; means connecting said time mechanism means to the mastervalve element to move same from service position to regeneratingposition wherein said master valve element is retained for apredetermined regenerating period; means including an interval timercontrolling said brine valve element; and means connecting said intervaltimer means to said brine valve element to move same fro-m serviceposition to regenerating position wherein said brine Valve element isretained for the delivery of brine to the softener tank during only apredetermined initial portion of said regenerating period, followed byrinsing of brine from the softener tank during the remainder of theregenerating period.

2. Automatic water softening apparatus comprising: a softener tankhaving a hard water inlet and a soft water outlet; a brine tank; amaster valve element movably mounted to occupy a service position and aregenerating position and, having valved means; means connecting thehard water inlet to a supply of water under pressure through the mediumof said valved means, for the llow of water through the softener tank toa service line when said element occupies its service position; saidelement having two other valved means; means connecting said soft valvedmeans when said master valve element is in regenerating position, toadmit a restricted iiow of rinsing water to the hard water inlet of thesoftener tank; means connecting said softener tank to a drain linethrough" the medium of the other of said two other valved means when themaster valve element occupies regenerating position, to drain rinsingwater from the softener tank; a brine valve element movably mounted tooccupy a service position and a regenerating position and having twovalved means; means connecting the hard water inlet to the brine tankthrough the medium of one of said two valved means of the brine valveelement to pressurize the brine tank when the brine valve elementoccupies regenerating position; means connecting the brine tank to thesoftener tank through the medium of the other of Y said two valved meansof the brine valve element when the master valve clement occupiesservice position, to admit brine from the brine tank to the soitenertank; hydraulic actuating units, one for each of said valve elements;means connecting said units to the master and brine valve elements,respectively; means including electromagnetic devices, one for each ofsaid units; means through which water is admitted to said units to movethe respective elements from service position to regenerating positionwhen said electromagnetic devices are energized; means including timemechanism controlling the supply of current to the electromagneticdevice for the master valve element, to energize same for apredetermined regenerating period; and means including an interval timercontrolling the supply of current to the electromagnetic device for thebrine valve element, to energize same during only a predeterminedinitial portion of said regenerating period.

3. Automatic water softening apparatus comprising: a softener tankhaving a hard water inlet and a soft water outlet; a brine tank; amaster valve element movably mounted to occupy a service position and aregenerating position and having valved means; means connecting the hardwater inlet to a supply of water under pressure through the medium ofsaid valved means, for the flow of water through the softener tank to aservice line when said element occupies its service position; saidelement having two other valved means; means connecting said soft wateroutlet of the softener tank to the source of water supply through themedium of one ot said two other valved means when said master valveelement is in regenerating position, to admit a restricted ow of rinsingwater to the softener tank; means connecting said hard water inlet ofthe softener tank to a drain line through the medium of the other ofsaid two other valved means when the master valve element occupiesregenerating position, to drain rinsing water from the softener tank; abrine valve element movably mount ed to occupy a service position and aregenerating position and having two valved means; means connecting thehard water inlet to the brine tank through the medium of one of said twovalved means of the brine valve element to pressurize the brine tankwhen the brine valve element occupies regenerating position; meansconnecting the brine tank to the softener tank through the medium of theother of said two valved means of the brine valve element when themaster valve,element occupies service position, to admit brine from thebrine tank to the softener tank; hydraulic actuating units, one for cachof said valve elements; means connecting said units to the master andbrine valve elements, respectively; each of said units including aninlet valve through which water is admitted to the respective unit tomove the respective valve element from service position to regeneratingposition; actuating means connected to the inlet valves and includingtime mechanism, by which the inlet valves are opened at the beginning ofa predetermined period of re generation; and means so-acting with thelast means, to maintain the inlet valve for said actuating unit of thebrine valve element open for only a predetermined initial portion of theregenerating period, so as to discontinue the flow of brine to thesoftener tank when said portion of the .regenerating period has elapsed.

4. Automatic water softening apparatus comprising: a softener tankhaving a hard water inlet and a sott water outlet; a brine tank; amaster valve element having a plurality of valves and movable for saidvalves to occupy a service position or a regenerating position; meansconnecting said hard water inlet to a source of water supply through themedium of one of said valves when in service position, for the flow ofwater through the softener tank to a service line; a brine valve elementhaving a plurality of valves and movable tor the latter to occupy aservice position and a regenerating position; means connecting the hardwater inlet to the brine tank through the medium of one of said valvesof the brine valve element when in regenerating position, to pressurizethe brine tank; means connecting the softener tank to the brine tankthrough the medium of a second one of said valves of the brine valveelement when in regenerating position, to force brine through thesoftener tank when the valves of the master valve element occupy serviceposition; hydraulic actuating units, one for each of said valveelements, adapted for connection to a source of water supply foractuation thereby; means connecting said units to said master and brinevalve elements, respectively, to move same from service position toregenerating position when water from said source is admitted to theunits; inlet valves, one for each of said units, controlling theadmission of water thereto; electromagnetic means, one for each of saidunits; means connecting each of said electromagnetic means to therespective inlet valve to open same when the respective electromagneticmeans is energized; time mechanism controlling the supply of current toboth electromagnetic means to open said inlet valves at a predeterminedtime and maintain the inlet valve for the master valve element open forregeneration of the softener tank during a predetermined time interval;means connecting said soft water outlet of the softener tank to thesource of water supply through the medium of a second one of said valvesof the master valve element when in regenerating position, tor therestricted ow of rinsing water to the softener tank; means connectingand with the master valve element sealed from contact with the brine thesoftener tank to a drain line through the medium of a third one of saidvalves of the master valve element, when in regenerating position, tocirculate rinsing water through the softener tank from said secondvalve; an interval timer in circuit with said time mechanism todiscontinue the supply of current to the electromagnetic means for thebrine valve element when a predetermined initial portion of theregeneratine cycle has elapsed, so as to stop the flow of brine to thesoftener tank by the return of the brine valve element to serviceposition, while the master valve element remains in regeneratingposition to er'ect rinsing of brine from the softener tank until saidtime mechanism discontinues the supply of current to the electromagneticmeans for the master valve element.

5. Automatic Water softening apparatus comprising: a softener tankhaving a hard Water inlet and a soft water outlet; a brine tank; a valvebody having hydraulic cylinders; pistons working in the cylinders; andurged to one extreme position; said pistons having stems Vliked theretofor movement by the respective pistons to occupy a service position anda regenerating position; one of said stems having a plurality of valvesto form a master valve element, and the other of said stems having aplurality of valves to form a brine valve element; means connecting saidhard water inlet to a source of water under pressure, through the mediumof one ot said valves of said master valve element when in serviceposition, for the llow of water through the softener tank to a serviceline; means connecting the source of water to the softener tank throughthe medium of another one of said valves of the master valve elementwhen in regenerating position, to admit water to the softener tank forrinsing thereof; means connecting the source of water to the brine tankthrough the medium of one of said valves or the brine valve element whenin regenerating position, to admit water to the brine tank to pressurizesame; means connecting the brine tank to the softener tank through themedium. of another one of said valves of the brine valve element whenthe master valve element is in service position, for the flow of brineinto the softener tank; inlet valves, one for each cylinder, controllingthe admission of water thereto; electromagnetic devices, one for eachinlet valve and connected thereto, respectively, for operation whenenergized, to open the respective inlet valves; time mechanismcontrolling the supply of current to the electromagnetic devices to opensaid inlet valves and eifect movement of said valve elements toregenerating position for a predetermined period of regeneration; and aninterval timer having means operable to discontinue the supply ofcurrent to the electromagnetic device for said brine valve element whena predetermined initial portion of said period has elapsed, so as tostop the flow of brine to the softener tank and effect rinsing of thelatter during the remaining portion of said period.

6. Automatic Water softening apparatus comprising: a softener tankhaving a hard Water inlet and a soft Water outlet; a brine tank; amaster valve element; a brine valve element; means mounting said valveelements for movement to occupy a service position or a regeneratingposition; means urging the valves to service position; time controlledmechanism; a plurality of means, one for each of said valve elements,connecting said mechanism to the elements, respectively, to move samefrom service position to regenerating position for a predeterminedperiod of time; means rendering said brine valve element free to returnto service position after a predetermined initial portion of said timeperiod has elapsed; said master valve element having means operable inthe service position thereof, to supply Water from said hard Water inletto the softener tank, and having other means operable in theregenerating position thereof, to admit rinsing Water to the softenertank; said brine valve element having a plurality of means respectivelyoperable in the regenerating position thereof to supply water from saidhard water inlet to the brine tank to pressurize same and to admit brinetherefrom to the softener tank when the master valve element occupiesservice position; hydraulically actuated units, one for each of saidvalve elements; means connecting said units, respectively, to said valveelements; inlet valves, one for each of said valve elements; andelectrical actuating means, one for each inlet valve; and meansconnecting said inlet valves to said electrical actuating means,respectively, to open said Valves when the actuating means areenergized.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSRussell et al. Jan. 11, 1955

1. AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS COMPRISING: A SOFTENER TANKHAVING A HARD WATER INLET AND A SOFT WATER OUTLET; A BRINE TANK; AMASTER VALVE ELEMENT MOVABLY MOUNTED TO OCCUPY A SERVICE POSITION AND AREGENERATING POSITION AND HAVING VALVED MEANS; MEANS CONNECTING THE HARDWATER INLET TO A SUPPLY OF WATER UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE MEDIUM OFSAID VALVED MEANS, FOR THE FLOW OF WATER THROUGH THE SOFTENER TANK TO ASERVICE LINE WHEN SAID ELEMENT OCCUPIES ITS SERVICE POSITION; SAIDELEMENT HAVING TWO OTHER VALVES MEANS; MEANS CONNECTING SAID SOFT WATEROUTLET OF THE SOFTENER TANK TO THE SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY THROUGH THEMEDIUM OF ONE OF SAID TWO OTHER VALVED MEANS WHEN SAID MASTER VALVEELEMENT IS IN REGENERATING POSITION, TO ADMIT A RESTRICTED FLOW OFRINSING WATER TO THE SOFTENER TANK; MEANS CONNECTING SAID HARD WATERINLET TO THE SOFTENER TANK TO A DRAIN LINE THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THEOTHER OF SAID TWO OTHER VALVED MEANS WHEN THE MASTER VALVE ELEMENTOCCUPIES REGENERATING POSITION, TO DRAIN RINSING WATER FROM THE SOFTENERTANK; A BRINE VALVE ELEMENT MOVABLY MOUNTED TO OCCUPY A SERVICE POSITIONAND A REGENERATING POSITION AND HAVING TWO VALVED MEANS; MEANSCONNECTING THE HARD WATER INLET TO THE BRINE TANK THROUGH THE MEDIUM OFONE OF SAID TWO VALVED MEANS OF THE BRINE VALVE ELEMENT TO PRESSURIZETHE BRINE TANK WHEN THE BRINE ELEMENT OCCUPIES REGENERATING POSITION;MEANS CONNECTING THE BRINE TANK TO THE SOFTENER TANK THROUGH THE MEDIUMOF THE OTHER OF SAID TWO VALVED MEANS OF THE BRINE VALVE ELEMENT WHENTHE MASTER VALVE ELEMENT OCCUPIES SERVICE POSITION, TO ADMIT BRINE FROMTHE BRINE TANK TO THE SOFTENER TANK; MEANS INCLUDING TIME MECHANISMCONTROLLING THE MASTER VALVE ELEMENT; MEANS CONNECTING SAID TIMEMECHANISM MEANS TO THE MASTER VALVE ELEMENT TO MOVE SAME FROM SERVICEPOSITION TO REGENERATING POSITION WHEREIN SAID MASTER VALVE ELEMENT ISRETAINED FOR A PREDETERMINED REGENERATING PERIOD; MEANS INCLUDING ANINTERVAL TIMER CONTROLLING SAID BRINE VALVE ELEMENT; AND MEANSCONNECTING SAID INTERVAL TIMER MEANS TO SAID BRINE VALVE ELEMENT TO MOVESAME FROM SERVICE POSITION TO REGENERATING POSITION WHEREIN SAID BRINEVALVE ELEMENT IS RETAINED FOR THE DELIVERY OF BRINE TO THE SOFTENER TANKDURING ONLY A PREDETERMINED INITIAL PORTION OF SAID REGENERATING PERIOD,FOLLOWED BY RINSING OF BRINE FROM THE SOFTENER TANK DURING THE REMAINDEROF THE REGENERATING PERIOD.